All our clients, all their press releases, all the time. News from Frank PR as it happens.

Tuesday, 15 December 2009

NEWS FROM SODA STREAM

GET BUSY WITH THE FIZZY!80’s favourite, “SodaStream” makes a comeback

Back in the days of fluorescent odd-socks, cycling shorts, stonewashed denim, Bros and Rainbow Brite, a fizzy drinks-making machine took the nation by storm……If you remember SodaStream, you were either one of the lucky kids who had one – or the one who didn’t and dreamed of your very own fizzy-drink factory.

Comedian Tommy Cooper had appeared in SodaStream’s ads in the 1970s, showing you could make fizzy drinks ‘Just like that’. A decade later, almost everyone seemed to be getting 'busy with the fizzy.' and every kid was begging their parents for their very own soda maker.

Well, now Sodastream is back, to give a whole new generation of fans the chance to ‘get busy with the fizzy’ and make their own soda in a range – or combination – of different flavours.

An exclusive SodaStream Pop-up Shop will open in Central London in mid-December selling limited-edition products. SodaStream is priced at £59.98 for the soda making unit, with flavours and gas canisters starting from £2.99. You can also buy SodaStream via sodastream.co.uk and selected stores (listed on the website).

The 80s favourite has had a sleek makeover and is available in a range of designs and colours, including chrome, red and white; whilst flavours are now all low-sugar or no-sugar and flavours include Cola, Lemonade, Tonic and vitamin-rich ‘Energy’.

Follow SodaStream on Twitter @sodastreamuk.

Mark Wyatt, the man behind bringing SodaStream back to the UK, says “We hope the nation will enjoy getting busy with the fizzy all over again.”

History:• The ‘home carbonation’ system that preceded SodaStream was invented in 1903, by Guy Gilbey of London Gin Distillers

• He sold the machine, which added sparkle to tap water via a pressurised carbon dioxide cylinder, to Britain’s wealthy households

• They were seen as so fashionable by the upper class that even the Royal Household had one!

• In the Twenties, flavour concentrates were introduced, such as Cherry Ciderette and Sasparilla and its popularity really took off

• The following decade the firm launched its Vantas model, also known as 'The Penny Monster', which was sold to shopkeepers to make drinks for their customers.

• SodaStream became a cult of the 1970s and 80s. Its popularity later spread to other countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Germany

• Milkstream was a variation on the SodaStream for making milkshakes, created by the same company. The ingredients (milk, ice cream and Crusha syrup) were mixed in a tall glass and inserted into the machine, so that the wand extended into the glass to froth up the shake

• Milkmen were even recruited to sell products door-to-door!

• Lenny Henry appeared in ads to promote a new flavour range in the 1990s

• SodaStream is now owned by Israeli-based company, Soda Club, which offers a variety of more healthy soft drink flavours (such as diet drinks) alongside original syrup flavours

How it works:• Just fill the carbonating bottle

• Screw the bottle into the drinksmaker

• Press the button until you get the famous SodaStream buzz (3-5 times depending on how fizzy you like it)

• Add your flavour concentrate

• With no batteries or electricity, the new SodaStream is a highly energy-efficient small appliance. The power supply comes from Alco2Jet Cylinders which are refillable

• Did you know that every one litre bottle of SodaStream you make saves three aluminium cans? That means that over 3 years, a family of four could slash their soft-drink-related packaging usage by over 90%